Read Online Bones on Ice: A Novella by Kathy Reichs - Free Book Online Page B

child of Mars and Tim Burton. Fake rock escarpments curved upward, their ochre walls speckled with modular grips resembling brightly colored wads of leviathan chewing gum. All around, people in ropes and helmets dangled in various stages of ascent and descent.
    James led the way to a fairly straightforward “cliff.” “We’ll start simple.”
    Have I mentioned that I dislike unprotected heights? My heart was already inching up my throat.
    I slipped into the climbing shoes, then James flopped me about like a rag doll, affixing harness, ropes, carabiners, gri-gri, and helmet. When finished, he assessed hishandiwork, again shot the practiced grin. The contrived boyish-charm thing was wearing thin fast.
    “How’s your upper-body strength?” Still grinning.
    “Decent.”
    “Let’s find out.” James began issuing instructions, his style methodical and concise. “Climbing’s as much about your hands as your feet.”
    I listened. Whatever his personality, the guy knew his stuff.
    A final check of my gear, then he pointed out the route.
    I wiped sweaty palms on my pants then stepped to the wall. Curtain time.
    “On belay?” I called, following the script James had provided.
    “Belay on,” James replied.
    “Climbing,” I said.
    “Climb on.”
    A moment passed. Another. I hadn’t moved.
    “Climb on,” James repeated, tone not mocking, but close. Deep breath, then I reached to find purchase and hauled myself up.
    My form wasn’t pretty, but slowly I worked my way up the rock face, pits damp, heart hammering, totally oblivious to the passage of time. To anything outside the rhythm of grasp, pull, step.
    I was close to the top when a high shriek echoed somewhere below me. A cacophony of sound followed. My adrenaline-stoked fingers flinched, my grip faltered. I fell.
    I felt air whoosh past my ears. Was bracing for impact when the rope tautened, snapping me around wildly. My body slammed the wall. I scrabbled for a handhold, a toehold. Clung, gasping, not looking down.
    “Dr. Brennan.” Pause. “Dr. Brennan.” Calm. “Please look at me.”
    I opened my eyes. Saw serpentine green ones. Level. I risked a glance toward the ground. Saw that I was two feet above it. Trembling, I released my grip, and eased onto terra firma.
    “I’m sorry.” James raised his hands, apologetic. “I got distracted by the kids.” He indicated a mushrooming gaggle of children flowing in from outside. “You okay?”
    I nodded, not trusting my ability to speak. The same thing had distracted me. But still.
    “I haven’t lost a climber yet.” Lame attempt to lighten the mood.
    “I’m fine.” My voice was squeaky, my knees rubber.
    “Ready for another try?”
    “I’m good.” Wiping a shaky hand over my face.
    “You know what they say about getting back on the horse.”
    “I’ve got to go.” Glance at my watch. Five-thirty. I’d never make it to Blythe Hallis by six.
    “You definitely got the hang of it fast. Must have a primo instructor.” James was back to cocky and smiling. “You sure?”
    “I’m sure.” Crazy, but somehow the invite felt threatening. Funny how raging adrenaline distorts one’s perception. “Thanks for the primer.”
    “I’m really sorry,” James apologized again.
    “It’s no big deal,” I assured him.
    “Duty calls?” The reptilian green eyes, measuring. Prying?
    “More like a hungry cat. I’m edging into tuna-or-pay time.”
    James stepped close, morphing from stillness to motion so quickly I had to steel myself not to recoil. Another practiced grin as he unclipped my harness and helped me free. Then we moved toward the lobby.
    “It’s good to push yourself,” James said as we went through the door, his body so close to mine I could smell his sweat and the onions he’d had with his lunch. “It’s not good to push others.”
    What the hell?
    “Bright’s death hurt a lot of people.” Pausing in the narrow hallway, one hand on the lobby door. “So did her life. Dredging up all